Posted on 02/07/2023 4:45:12 AM PST by Homer_J_Simpson
HAVANA, Saturday, Jan. 31, 1863.
Her British Majesty's steamer Rinaldo, came in, yesterday, from Galveston. An extra of the Houston Telegraph, Jan. 23, gives an account of the capture of Sabine Pass, of the United States brig Morning Light (?) and a schooner (name unknown) on the 21st ult., by an expedition of a part of the MAGRUDER fleet, under Major O.M. WATKINS. I copy two dispatches from this redoubtable Major, which differ in the number of guns captured. Still another account gives eleven as the number.
SABINE PASS, TEXAS, ON BOARD C.S. GUNBOAT BELL, Jan. 21, 1863.
CAPTAIN: We met the enemy this morning in the Gulf of Mexico. We whipped them, and brought everything to Sabine Pass. I fought him, ten guns to our one. My officers and men behaved nobly. We have captured two vessels -- one of them a full-rigged ship, and the other a schooner and twelve fine guns, medical stores, and ammunition in abundance, together with 109 prisoners.
I am here, Captain, awaiting further orders from the Major-General Commanding. This communication will be sent you by Capt. DAN SPOWALTER, whom I have appointed a Captain of artillery, in accordance with the orders of the Major-General Commanding, and assigned him to duty as commander of Shell Bank Battery.
Very respectfully,
OSCAR M. WATKINS,
Major and A.A.G. Commanding on Sabine.
To EDMUND P. TURNER, Captain and A.A.G.
OFFICIAL DISPATCH.
SABINE PASS, Jan. 21, VIA LIBERTY, 22d -- 7 P.M.
To Capt. E.P. Turner, A.A.G.:
I engaged the enemy to-day, and captured thirteen guns, and about $1,000,000 worth of property, and 109 prisoners. O.M. WATKINS,
Major Commanding.
Gen. MAGRUDER, on the 4th ult., proclaimed the port of Galveston as opened to the commercial intercourse of the world, but Commodore BELL issued a counter proclamation on the 20th,
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
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Important from Texas: Operations of Magruder’s Fleet in Sabine Pass– 2
Department of the Gulf: Trip to Fort Macombe – 2-4
The War on the Mississippi: The Attack upon Island No. Ten – 4
News from Washington: Progress of the Government Finance Measures – 4-5
Exciting Tragedy in the Eighth Ward: A Deserter Shot by a U.S. Officer and Almost Instantly Killed – 5
Fred. Douglass on the Proclamation: He Pronounces it a Mighty Event for the Colored Race, the Nation and the World – 5-6
Celestial Cotton – 6
Editorial: The News from Texas – 6
The Poor and the War – 6
The Two Battles of Donelson – 6
Selling warships and guns to Japan. Did the sales come to pass? I was not aware we sold them weapons.
I can’t find anything with a quick search. It may have had to do with a complicated plan to keep European powers from recognizing the Confederacy, which still hoped to get possession of iron-clads built in Europe.
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